Isolated jejunal rupture after blunt trauma.

Area of Science:

• Trauma Surgery
• Abdominal Imaging
• Gastrointestinal Surgery

Background:

• Hollow viscus injuries, including jejunal ruptures, are uncommon consequences of blunt abdominal trauma.
• These injuries can be masked by more severe solid-organ damage, leading to delayed diagnosis.
• Symptoms of jejunal injury are often subtle and may not manifest immediately.

Purpose of the Study:

• To highlight the diagnostic challenges associated with isolated jejunal rupture following blunt abdominal trauma.
• To emphasize the importance of continued vigilance and serial examinations in suspected cases.
• To illustrate the diagnostic utility of serial exams in determining the need for laparotomy.

Main Methods:

• Case report of an isolated jejunal rupture in a professional hockey player.
• Review of initial diagnostic work-up, which was negative for serious pathology.
• Emphasis on serial clinical examinations to guide management decisions.

Main Results:

• The initial work-up failed to identify the jejunal rupture.
• Subtle symptoms and the absence of overt signs complicated early diagnosis.
• Serial examinations were instrumental in suspecting and ultimately confirming the injury.

Conclusions:

• Isolated jejunal rupture is a rare but significant injury following blunt abdominal trauma.
• Clinical vigilance and serial examinations are critical for diagnosing injuries that may be initially occult.
• Laparotomy may be necessary to establish the diagnosis when suspicion of hollow viscus injury persists.